These stories are true and based on real events or converations as best as can be re-created.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

GRESHAM MAX HAS NO CAMERA’S by jeff rose

Isn't that a great thing to announce on the front page of the morning newspaper?Well,apparently there ARE cameras, but they are just in the process of being broughton line.Trimet has also issues a press release outlining the steps that they areplanning on takingto reduce crime along the lightrail with one element glaringly missing. Hereis a list ofthings Trimet plans on doing:

• Convene a safety summit for the light rail system, and work with thejurisdictions servedby MAX. The goal would be to fully coordinate security-related efforts andensure that alljurisdictions maximize our limited resources to get the most benefit.

•Direct all TriMet personnel to be more visible on vehicles and at platformswhileperforming their regular duties, whether it is cleaning a platform, servicing aticketvending machine or just riding the system.

•Remove graffiti on TriMet property within 24 hours.

•Ensure there are consequences, including jail time, for anyone that commits acrime onTriMet.

All good ideas. Speaking of "sightlines", I was thinking (not so long ago) thatit wouldhave been nice if they had designed the breakroom at the Gresham Transit Centerso thatthe windows where you were sitting while on break gave you a better view of thetransitcenter- particulary where the 4 lays over. Someone could be breaking into mybus and Iwouldn't know even though I am only about 20 yards away.

If I were to design a new breakroom, I would place the mens and women'srestroom onthe east end of the building along (what street is that? Kelly?) West of therestrooms, Iwould have the walls angle in to a point where the door would be. Along theangled wallsI would have windows with a coffee shop style table along the entire length withbenchesso that you naturally sit facing the windows. When operators are sitting thereeating theirlunch or whatever- they can chose a spot where they can see their bus and keepan eye onit and the station in general.

Usually operators close the blinds anyway so even if they would be able to seesomethinggoing on they chose not to- I don't think operators like people being able tosee theminside- (the fishbowl effect!) Maybe a good answer in light of this would beone-way glassso that operators have a sense of privacy, yet they can still keep an eye onthings.

Of course, even though this is another brilliant idea, we have what we have andwe aren'tgoing to rebuild all the breakrooms at transit centers to improve our vision-but maybe ifthere are cameras being installed at the Gresham TC, we could have a minitorinstalledinside the breakroom! Honestly, even if there are cameras, who is Trimet goingto havesitting there watching? Probably nobody. Operators, however, if they aregiven themeans to keep an eye on their own bus, might notice when there is troublebrewingaround the station and MIGHT let somebody know when things are starting to getout ofhand. Which brings up something for a new post.